Starting in the 1990’s, the tradition of affixing engraved locks to bridges has been seen all around the world from Paris’s Pont des Arts, to Rome’s Pont Milvio, to the Brooklyn Bridge. Couples secure their locks then throw the keys into the East River often hitting cars below. The Brooklyn Bridge is a beloved National Historical Landmark and must not be damaged or altered. Because of its iconic status, The New York City Department of Transportation has started cracking down on these locks of love due to safety concerns. So far the city has removed more than 6,000 locks of love.